Improvement in automaton-boxes for matches



ZSheets-Sheet 1. H. ROMAN. AUTOMATO N B No'. 169,923.

OXES FOR MATCHES, '&c.

Patented Hov.16, 1875.

MPETERS. FHDTO-LH'HDGRAFHER, WASHINGTON D C Z Sheets-$heet 2 H. ROMAN. BOXES FOR MATCHES, 84c.

AUTOMATON No. 169,923.

Patented Nov. 16, 1875 WITNESSES lafi mmm m VENTOR.

y Zia .dttomey N PETERS, PHOTO-UTHDGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, Dv C4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY ROMAN, OF BROMPTON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO WILBERFORGE BRYANT, ARTHUR O. BRYANT, FREDERICK G. BRYANT, AND THEO- DoRE H. BRYANT.

IMPROVEMENT IN AUTOMATON- BOXES FOR MATCHE S, &c.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 169,923, dated November 16, 1875 application filed October 22, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY ROMAN, of Brompton, in the county of Middlesex, England, (a subject of the Emperor of Russia,) have invented or discovered a new and improved construction of. automaton box or receptacle for containing domestic amusing and useful articles; and I, the said HENRY ROMAN,

do hereby declare the nature of the said invention, andv in what manner the same is to I be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the followingstatement thereof-that is to say:

The invention has for its object a new and improved automaton box or receptacle for contray has projecting sides passing through loops formed in the inner surface of the lids or flaps near to their hinges, and then bent, so as to form hooks. Underneath the bottom of the tray levers are placed. These levers are acted upon by a yielding outer inclosure. The lower inner surfaces of the yielding inolosures, when in their normal state, are kept at their greatest distance apart by a spring or springs; but they yield to the pressure of the hand grasping the box, and thus the levers are operated and caused to raise the tray with its contents, protruding them above the body of the box.

in order that the invention may be well understood and explained in detail, I have here unto annexed drawings representing, as an example, the application of the invention to an ordinary-sized metallic match-box, similar letters of reference being marked on corresponding parts on all the figures alike.

Figure 1 represents a front elevation of the box as I prefer to construct it. Fig. 2 represents a vertical section of the box, showing that previously shown, but which has adapted thereto, as the raising medium, a lazy-tong arrangement of levers in lieu of the levers shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 6 represents, on an enlarged scale, a longitudinal central section of the box somewhat modified as to details; and Fig. 7, a section of the same at a right angle to Fig. 6. Y

In these figures the framing or body a is composed of one or more pieces of metal, forming permanent sides, the top opening of which is provided with hinged lids b b, and the bottom with a permanent inclosure, c. The interior of this body a contains a tray, which forms a receptacle or support for the articles with which the box is supplied, and is somewhat shorter than the outer body. The bottom of this tray d is connected by the elastic c with the permanent bottom 0 of the body, and the projecting sides of this tray are so arranged that they pass through loops b b formed on the lids 12 near to their hinges, and their extremities are bent, so as to form hooks. Underneath the bottom of the tray d levers f f are placed, the fnlcrai i of which are supported in the body a, near to the lower corners thereof. (Seen more clearly in Figs. 4, 6, and 7.) The opposite curved termination of these levers f f are acted upon by a yielding outer inclosurc orflaps g g, which are connected to the body ofthe box by hooked hinges, on which are also formed the hooked hinges for the lids b b. The lower extremities of these inclosures or flaps, g g are acted on internally by the curved ends of the levers f f, and which, when in their normal state, are kept at their greatestdistance apart, (as seen in Fig. 2, and

. in full lines in Fig. 6,) by reason of the con- The underlap extremities traeted elastic e. of the inclosure or flaps g 9 maybe bent in, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to form stops, which govern the extent of their movement.

The opening and closing of the box, together with the action of simultaneously raising and presenting the articles contained therein, on reference to the drawings and foregoing lettered description thereof, will be clearly undcrstood.

The sideinclosures or flaps 9v 9 of the box a, when held in the hand, are slightly pressed, and, yielding to the gentle force exerted, cause the lower inner surface of such-flaps to, press against the shorter curved ends of two levers, ff, before mentioned. The action thus obtained presses the long arms of the levers against thebottom ofv the internal tray cl,

.which raises it until the articles contained therein are elevated above the level of the box. The hooked terminations of the sides of. the tray 01 at this time press with their upward rise against the lids b b, and so cause the same to open simultaneously with the rising of the 'tray'd, and assume the position shown at Fig. 3, and in dotted lines, 'Fig. 6, thus enabling part or the whole of the contents which are now raised above the surface of the box to be; removed'therefrom with the greatest ease and: facility. The descent of the internal tray 01, 011 therelease of the pressure upon the flaps or inclosures g g, is due .to the contraction of; the elastic or spring e, and the perfect and secure closing of the lids is effected simulta-. neously therewith through themedium of the hooked projections of the tray 61 d acting on the inner loops 1) b of the lids b. b.

It will be evident from the examples thus; given of the application of the invention that the same may be .used'in connection with cigar-cases, needle-cases, and numerous other 'cipal features ofthe invention are domestic and useful articles with the greatest advantage, as the articles contained in such boxes or receptacles can, with the greatest ease and facility, by a slight pressure of the hand, be presented conveniently for selection.

Again, a further adaptation to such boxes may be a system of internal'compound levers, similar in construction to a lazy-tong, which, when the box is opened by the yielding'inclosure or flaps, will eject from the box such expanding compound levers, upon which toys may be arranged.

' Having now described the nature of my said invention, together with the means of carrying the same into practicaleffect, Iwould wish it to be understood, in conclusion, that I do not confine myself to the exact and precise means employed for putting the partstogether, as herein set forth, as long as the prinretained; but a What I claim is-- v 1. The combination of the yielding inclosure or flaps g, moving tray d, and lid or lids b, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the framing or body, the levers fulcrumed' therein, the tray resting upon the'long ends of the levers, the retractin g spring connecting the tray and framing or body, and the hinged lid, these members being constructed and operating substantially as set forth, whereby the tray is moved and theilid opened by pressure upon the short arms of the levers, and the tray returned to its normal position and the lid closed when the pressure is stopped.

H. ROMAN. Witnesses:

S. J. DETENHAM,

36 Lincolns Inn Fields, 8011". WILMER M.'HARRIs,

l7 Graceehureh Street, London, E, O. 

